The Code Enforcement Division is a reactive agency; this means investigations are conducted only after a complaint has been reported. Directed Enforcement by the Board of Supervisors is the only exception to this at this time.

The Code Enforcement Division conducts its investigations based on a list of priorities provided by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. As of 12/19/2023, the Board of Supervisors have set the following priorities for enforcement (in the order to which the Code Enforcement Division will investigate):

NOTE: For all non-prioritized complaints (e.g., illegal businesses, activities requiring MHRB approval, etc.) which do not meet the criteria of the priorities noted above, the Code Enforcement Division has the discretion to determine the appropriate response to the complaint and the appropriate enforcement methodology to address the complaint as resources and time allow.

Complainant confidentiality is a top priority for the Code Enforcement Division. Code Enforcement will not release complainant information when conducting its investigations. Additionally, complainant information is always redacted when copies of the complaints and/or reports are requested through a Public Records Act (PRA) request.

The benefits to providing the requested complainant information include the following:

• Receive the results of the investigation (if requested)
• Be able to be contacted by the investigating officer if additional details of the complaint are needed to successfully investigate the complaint and provide important safety information to the investigating officer.
• Receive educational information about Mendocino County Code (MCC) if the complaint is determined to be unfounded.
• Receive additional informational resources, if needed.

The Code Enforcement Division will accept anonymous complaints. However, please note that such complaints that do not demonstrate a direct nexus to life/safety issues and/or community quality of life may be closed without investigation, at the discretion of the Code Enforcement Manager.

It is highly recommended that the complainant provides their contact information in case the investigating officer requires further information. It is important to note that the Code Enforcement Division has the discretion to determine its response to anonymous complaints and how they are prioritized, based on the information provided for the complaint. If the investigating officer determines there is insufficient information to respond to the complaint, the complaint may be closed until further information is received at a later time.

Additionally, if the complaint is filed anonymously, the complainant will not be notified of the investigation’s results.

INTAKE: The Code Enforcement Division will log all complaints it receives within its jurisdiction, including complaints that do not fall under its purview for regulatory enforcement. In these cases, Code Enforcement will make every effort to forward complaints to the appropriate agency. Please refer to the section titled “What Does Code Enforcement Not Investigate?” for further guidance.

INVESTIGATION: The Code Enforcement Division will conduct preliminary investigative research to determine a property’s current owner or legally interested parties, obtain current and historical aerial imagery, and other evidence to support the investigation. Our field investigators will also use relevant and important information provided by the complaining party to assist with their approach. From there, the investigating officer may respond to the location directly to make contact with the property owner and/or responsible party, send a Request for Contact via USPS, or attempt to locate contact information and call using a reliable phone number. When contact is made, the investigating officer will attempt to meet with the property owner and/or responsible party to go over the complaint and noted violations on the subject property or schedule an inspection to do the same. In some cases, the violations may be observed from the public right-of-way, where consent from the property owner is not required.

If violations are observed and confirmed, the investigating officer will advise the property owner and/or responsible party of the violations and the corrective actions needed to resolve them. An inspection report may be provided as a courtesy to provide this information in writing. The officer will also provide a reasonable time frame for these corrective actions to be accomplished.

It is important to note that compliance is determined by the efforts made by the property owner and/or responsible party. The Code Enforcement Division can extend timelines based on positive forward movement of efforts taken to resolve the violations. Lack of effort (as demonstrated to the investigating officer) or refusal to bring the violations into compliance will not afford additional time and will result in formal enforcement action being taken.  

ENFORCEMENT: Voluntary compliance is always the goal for the Code Enforcement Division, and it will make every effort to work with property owners and/or responsible parties to support their bringing the violations into compliance. However, if there is lack of demonstration that compliance will be achieved, the violations will formally become a Code Enforcement case and a Notice of Violation (NOV) will be issued to all legally responsible parties, as allowed under Mendocino County Code (MCC) Chapter 1.08. The NOV will provide a specific timeline for all noted violations to be resolved, AND what the required corrective actions are to resolve them. Failure to comply with the formal NOV will result in one  or more of the following:

• Issuance of one or more Administrative Citations (ACs) with civil penalties
• Lien Recordation of the Notice of Violation on the property’s title
• In some cases, seek an injunction through the local courts (litigation)

The Code Enforcement complaint will not be closed until ALL documented violations are resolved. This may include meeting the required conditions for discretionary permits such as a Use Permit or Coastal Development Permit.

NOTE: Before proceeding to file a complaint, please refer to the sections titled, “What Does Code Enforcement Investigate?” and “What Does Code Enforcement Not Investigate?” on this page. By doing so, this will ensure the concerns are being reported to the appropriate agency and will minimize any unnecessary delays for response to the complaint.

ONLINE

You can file a complaint online by completing an online complaint form. PLEASE NOTE that the online complaint form has changed. Code Violation complaints and Cannabis Cultivation complaints can now be submitted using the same form.

Code Enforcement Online Complaint Form **NEW**

Abandoned Vehicle Report

PHONE

* If you choose to file a complaint by phone, please be prepared to provide as much detail regarding the complaint as possible (including contact information), as staff will be entering the complaint through the online reporting system on your behalf. Per recent direction by the Board of Supervisors, Reporting Party contact information is now required when filing a complaint with Code Enforcement.

Although the Code Enforcement Division will still accept anonymous complaints, please note that such complaints that do not demonstrate a direct nexus to life/safety issues and/or community quality of life may be closed without investigation, at the discretion of the Code Enforcement Manager.

ALL Reporting Party information is confidential, pursuant to all applicable laws and regulations, and is never released to either the subject of the complaint, or any member of the public requesting information as part of a Public Records Act request (PRA)

Please note that complaints that fall outside the list of Board-defined priorities will be investigated as resources and time allow. Also please note that while Code Enforcement does accept and investigate anonymous complaints, failure to provide enough information may result in an investigation being classified as ‘Not As Reported’ or ‘Insufficient Information Provided’ and subsequently closed.

What is the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement (AVA) Program?

The Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program is a California State program whereby counties and incorporated communities can receive funding to help defray the costs of removing abandoned vehicles within their jurisdiction.

The program operates under Division 11, Chapter 10 of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) “Removal of Parked and Abandoned Vehicles.” Section 22710 of the CVC authorizes a Service Authority for the abatement of abandoned vehicles to be established in any county. The Code Enforcement Division is the service authority for Mendocino County and holds the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between the County and participating incorporated cities.

How do we determine whether a vehicle qualifies for the AVA Program?

To qualify for the AVA Program, a vehicle MUST be:

• Abandoned, and NOT occupied
• Damaged/wrecked
• Valued at less than $500.00
• In or along the public right-of-way, and NOT on:
  • Private property
  • Private roads
  • Private easements

For vehicles that do not meet the above requirements, please contact the appropriate law enforcement agency to seek alternative options for towing allowable within their jurisdiction.

What happens once a vehicle is determined to have qualified for the program?

Once a vehicle is determined to be qualified, it is tagged under California Vehicle Code (CVC) Sections 22669 (abandoned) and/or 22661 (wrecked) and a TEN-DAY NOTICE provided.

If the vehicle poses an IMMEDIATE safety hazard (e.g., close or within the roadway, leaking fluid, etc.), Code Enforcement may authorize the removal in advance of the ten-day notice timeline requirement.

Once verified, Code Enforcement will authorize removal of the vehicle in writing to the contracted towing company. No vehicle can be removed without authorization from Code Enforcement to do so.

What areas are covered by the AVA Program?

Presently the program serves the unincorporated areas of Mendocino County, City of Ukiah, City of Willits and City of Fort Bragg. If you wish to report an abandoned vehicle within the city limits of Ukiah, Willits or Fort Bragg, you can do so by contacting the respective departments on the phone numbers provided below:

Where does the AVA Program receive its funding from?

Funding for the program comes from a $1 per vehicle Department of Motor Vehicles registration assessment. The State retains 1% of this for administration and makes the remainder available to the service authority. Funds are distributed to the service authority quarterly. This assessment fee must be approved by the County’s voters every 10 years in order for this funding to continue.

How can I report an abandoned vehicle?

You can report an abandoned vehicle by using the online form here:

Abandoned Vehicle Report

How can I find out whether an abandoned vehicle I reported has been towed?

An interactive map has been created showing the locations of all reported to the AVA Program in Mendocino County. Those locations marked in GREEN have been resolved, while those marked in YELLOW are currently pending. Clicking on one of the locations will bring up a pop up box detailing the following information:

• Case Number
• Reported Location
• Vehicle Description
• Vehicle Condition
• Date Marked
• Date Removed (if applicable)
• Status

The map is updated weekly.

A larger version of the map can also be found here

Code Enforcement does NOT investigate instances of the following issues. Please report such issues to the appropriate agency:

* Contact information for these and other agencies can be found in the section "Other Resources" on this page.

Can I report a code violation anonymously?

Per recent direction from the Board of Supervisors, Reporting Party contact information is required when filing a complaint with Code Enforcement.

Although Code Enforcement will still accept complaints from reporting parties who wish to remain anonymous, such complaints that do not demonstrate a direct nexus to life/safety issues and/or community quality of life may be closed without investigation.

ALL Reporting Party information is confidential, pursuant to all applicable laws and regulations, and is never released to either the subject of the complaint, or any member of the public requesting information as part of a Public Records Act request (PRA)

How can I find out who made a complaint against me?

We receive complaints from a variety of sources including County Departments, outside agencies, and members of the community. All complaints received from community members are strictly confidential. The complainant’s personal information is protected by the following Government codes:

Gov. Code § 7297.700. Personnel, medical or similar files, or portions thereof which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, including records that reveal personal information such as gate codes. See also the California Constitution, Art. I, Sec. I, regarding the right to Privacy.

Gov. Code § 7927.705. Records, the disclosure of which is exempted or prohibited pursuant to federal or state law, including, but not limited to, provisions of the Evidence Code relating to privilege. Records disclosing information that would reveal the identity of an informant are exempt pursuant to this section and Evidence Code section 1041.

Gov. Code § 7922.000. Certain records, or portions thereof, may be withheld if the public interest in not disclosing outweighs the public interest in disclosing. In this case, not disclosing certain portions of records outweighs the public interest in disclosure, including records containing personal information and records containing identifying information about informants. Disclosure of such records to the public does little to inform the public about the conduct of the people’s business, while withholding such records avoids potential retaliation against informants, avoids a potential chilling effect that disclosing such information might have on the willingness of people to become informants, avoids a potential chilling effect on the exchange of information that assists the County in addressing potential code violations, and encourages the exchange of information that assists the County in addressing and resolving potential Code violations.

I didn’t do the work or cause the problem – why am I responsible for correcting the violations?

Mendocino County holds its property owners responsible for their properties, and it is ultimately up to the property owner to remediate violations on their property. It is important to note that violations are against the property, and NOT the property owner;  this means that if you purchased a property which has an existing violation (regardless of Code Enforcement’s involvement), you are still responsible for clearing the violations.

Where does Code Enforcement get the authority to enforce rules?

The Code Enforcement Division can conduct formal enforcement under the following Mendocino County Code of Ordinances (MCC):

MCC Chapter 1.04. – General Authority, Penalty Amounts, and Recordation of Notice of Violation

MCC Chapter 1.08 – Administrative Citations and Penalties, Service Procedures, Appeals, and Hearing Procedures and Rules

Code Enforcement has authority to conduct investigations and enforcement for violations of Mendocino County Code of Ordinances (MCC):

• Title 18 (Building Regulations) 
• Title 20 (Zoning Regulations) 
• Chapter 8.75 (Public Nuisances – Declared)
• Chapter 9A (Trash/Refuse on Private Property regulations)
• Chapter 10A.17 (Cannabis Cultivation) 
• Chapter 16.30 (Stormwater/Illicit Discharge) 

What happens when a violation is identified?

Code Enforcement attempts to work with property owners to successfully resolve all violations. However, if the issue cannot be resolved within the time frame allowed by the department, the Division can take one or more of the following courses of action:

How long do I have to fix the violation(s)?

The type of violation will determine the timeframe for correction. For example, a violation requiring a building permit to either legalize or demo a structure will have a shorter timeframe than one which requires a permit from the Planning Division, such as a Use Permit or a Coastal Development Permit.

Please work with the investigating officer to establish and adhere to  the timeframes required to resolve the violation(s).

What if I don’t agree with Code Enforcement’s assessment of a violation?

The Code Enforcement Division will assess all applicable facts, findings and evidence to determine violations of the Mendocino County Code of Ordinances. The Code Enforcement Division will provide applicable MCC codes and supporting evidence (i.e., documentation of observations, photographs, and other resources) to justify its determination as to whether a violation exists.

The Code Enforcement Division will also obtain supporting evidence and determinations from the Building and Planning Divisions to verify interpretations of ordinances (if needed) before establishing whether violations exist and the requirements to resolve them. In cases where a property owner or responsible party does not agree with a Planning Division determination, the property owner may seek an appeal of that determination through the proper zoning commission, such as the Mendocino Planning Commission or the California Coastal Commission (CCC).

The Code Enforcement Division may start its formal enforcement process by generating a Code Enforcement case and issuing a Notice of Violation (NOV). The NOV will provide the specific violations that need to be addressed, the required corrective actions to resolve them, and specific timelines to accomplish this. It should be noted the NOV is a formal notice with no punitive action and therefore cannot be appealed or contested.

How can I find out what I am allowed to do with my property?

You can find out the zoning designation of your parcel by going to the Mendocino County Geographic Information System (GIS) website to find out the zoning of your parcel. You can then look up the corresponding zoning information in the Mendocino County Zoning Ordinance here (link). It is always recommended that property owners verify with Planning and Building Services staff what their zoning allows, and if certain permits are required for development and construction projects within the county. The requirement to obtain the appropriate permits falls on the responsibility of the current property owner.

What are “investigative fees” and why am I being charged them?

The Code Enforcement Division derives its authority to assess investigative fees on building permits issued as a result of violations from Title 18, section 18.08.030 of the Mendocino County Code of Ordinances. This section states that the county “shall recover costs of enforcing the provisions of Title 18 of the Mendocino County Code, Chapter 1.5 of Division 13 of the California Health and Safety Code and any and all ordinances, rules, regulations, and orders pertaining to its Planning and Building Services Department.”

Please note that investigative fees are associated with after-the-fact legalization via the permitting process, with or without Code Enforcement involvement. Code Enforcement may issue an Administrative Citation for failure to comply, in which case additional penalties may be imposed. Investigative fees and Administrative Citation penalties (if imposed) must be paid in order to achieve compliance.

I received an Administrative Citation from Code Enforcement, but I don’t believe I should have been issued one – can I appeal the citation?

Administrative Citations are issued by the Code Enforcement Division pursuant to MCC Chapter 1.08 – Administrative Citations and Penalties.

If you have received an Administrative Citation and wish to appeal you may do so, providing that the appeal is received by the County within ten (10) days of EITHER the service of the Administrative Citation (pertaining to a non-recurring penalty), OR the first day that penalties cease occurring (pertaining to a recurring penalty). Further information regarding appeal of the citation can be located on the back of the issued citation.

You can find a copy of the Administrative Citation Appeal Form here:

Administrative Citation Appeal Form 

Air Quality Management District (AQMD)

Phone: (707) 463-4354

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Northern Region

Phone: (530) 225-2300

Email: askregion1@wildlife.ca.gov

California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD)

Phone: (800) 952-8356

CalTIP

Californians Turn in Poachers and Polluters (CalTIP) is a confidential program that encourages the public to provide the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) with information leading to the arrest of poachers and polluters.

To report a potential poaching or pollution problem call 1-888 334-CALTIP (1-888 334 2258)

CalTrans

Phone: (707) 445-6600 (Eureka office)

Fire Departments

Including CalFire, there are 23 local fire agencies in Mendocino County. If you have any concerns regarding fire, or potential fire hazards, please contact your local fire department:

Incorporated areas of Mendocino County

To report a violation in one of the incorporated communities in Mendocino County, please call one of the following numbers:

Mendo Recycle

Mendo Recycle is Mendocino County’s solid waste department. Any complaints regarding illegal dumping in the public right of way or on public property should be reported to Mendo Recycle.

Online: Illegal dumping online report

Phone: (707) 234 6400

Email: info@mendorecycle.org

Mendocino Cannabis Department (MCD)

Phone: (707) 234-6680

Email: CannabisProgram@mendocinocounty.gov

Mendocino County Department of Transportation (DOT)

Phone: (707) 463-5474

Email: dot@mendocinocounty.gov

Mendocino County Environmental Health (EH)

Phone: (707) 234-6625 (Ukiah office)

Phone: (707) 961-2714 (Fort Bragg office)

Email: enviroh@mendocinocounty.gov

Mendocino County Sheriff's Office (MCSO)

Phone: (707) 463-4086 (non-emergency)

Regulations

• Informational page